Preemption Indication for New Radio

ABSTRACT

Preempting a slot with a mini-slot for use in a wireless transmitter of a wireless communication network is presented. The method includes preempting a slot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slot transmission to the wireless receiver, wherein the slot transmission comprises a plurality of time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFR comprising a plurality of sub-regions. The method further includes transmitting a preemption indication to the wireless receiver, where the preemption indication includes a TFR position in time of one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission, a TFR position in frequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission and an identifier of one or more of the plurality a sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Particular embodiments are directed to wireless communications and, moreparticularly, to a preemption indication scheme, parameters, and messagestructure for new radio (NR).

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines a fifth generation(5G) of wireless communication that includes new radio (NR). Dynamicmultiplexing of different services highly desirable for efficient use ofsystem resources and to maximize system capacity. In downlink, theassignment of resources can be instantaneous and is only limited by thescheduler implementation. Once low-latency data appears in a buffer, abase station should choose the soonest moment of time when resourcescould be normally allocated. This may be either the beginning of asubframe or a mini-slot, where the mini-slot can start at any orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol.

The stringent latency budget of such traffic as ultra-reliable lowlatency communications (URLLC), however, may require transmission of amini-slot signal without waiting for vacant resources. Thus a UE mayneed to handle puncturing/preemption of slot data transmission (i.e.,cases when slot transmissions to UE1 on already allocated resources areoverridden by a mini-slot transmission to UE2). This may negativelyimpact mini-slot transmitter interference on slot receivers. Dynamicresource sharing between slot and mini-slot transmissions in the uplinkis also desirable and may involve puncturing/preemption of a slot bymini-slot transmissions.

As used herein, the terms “puncturing,” “preemption,” and “pre-emption”may be used interchangeably. 3GPP may prefer the term “preemption.”Preemption may refer to a situation were UE may assume that notransmission to the UE is present in PRBs and in symbols.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general procedure of resourceallocation. A buffer (block 1) collects packets of slot data and reportsabout data presence to Scheduler (block 7). Packets in the buffer (block1) are waiting for a scheduling command which triggers channel coding,hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) cyclic buffer forming andmodulation procedure (block 3). Scheduler (block 7) makes it decisionabout time-frequency ranges of modulated slot data and provides thisinformation to block 5, which is responsible for forming atime-frequency grid that consists of modulation symbols. In practice,block 5 is able to aggregate inputs from more than one source and anupper limit is defined by various factors which are out of the scope ofthis disclosure.

In the process of forming the time-frequency grid, mini-slot data canarrive in the buffer (block 2). Because of strict latency requirementsfor mini-slot data, the Scheduler (7) may decide to replace part of slotmodulation symbols by mini-slot modulation symbols. To do this theScheduler (7) triggers mini-slot channel coding etc. by sending acommand to block 4. It also sends updated grid mapping information toblock 5. Simultaneously with that, the Scheduler (7) forms a specialmessage with pre-emption information.

The prepared time-frequency grid is transferred to block 6 for OFDMmodulation and further signal processing and then a radio signal istransmitted by block 8 to the antenna.

The Scheduler (7) could be a logical part of a transmitting node (basestation) or it could be located outside of transmitting node (userequipment). In the first case, signaling data between blocks isdelivered internally inside a node. The second case uses externalsignaling links between scheduler and transmitting node.

HARQ retransmissions with incremental redundancy may use a few differentredundancy versions (RV) for subsequent retransmissions.

A general downlink preemption indication (PI) architecture may be basedon presenting the time-frequency grid structure prior to the received PImessage as one time/frequency region (TFR) and signaling which part(s)of the TFR are affected by preemption. TFR size and its internalresolution are defined before sending the PI message.

This approach, however, includes at least two problems. Accuracy inn below with realistic signaling message size (around 20 bits). To achieveacceptable accuracy, a PI message may be limited to reporting only abouta short time backward (e.g., around 1 time slot), which is not flexiblein terms of signaling latency.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a pre-emption indication (PI)which includes a good trade-off between pre-emption indicationresolution and signaling message size. Particular embodiments include aparameter set for proper tuning of the PI scheme. Some embodimentsinclude a pre-emption indication message format.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method of preempting aslot with a mini-slot for use in a wireless transmitter of a wirelesscommunication network is provided. The method includes pre-empting aslot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slot transmissionto the wireless receiver, wherein the slot transmission comprises aplurality of time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFR comprising aplurality of sub-regions. The method further includes transmitting apreemption indication to the wireless receiver, where the preemptionindication includes: a TFR position in time of one or more preemptedTRFs in the slot transmission, a TFR position in frequency of the one ormore preempted TFRs in the slot transmission and an identifier of one ormore of the plurality of sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

According to one embodiment, a wireless device is provided. The wirelessdevice includes processing circuitry operable to perform pre-empting aslot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slot transmissionto the wireless receiver, wherein the slot transmission comprises aplurality of time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFR comprising aplurality of sub-regions. The processing circuitry is further operableto perform transmitting a preemption indication to the wirelessreceiver, where the preemption indication includes: a TFR position intime of one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission, a TFRposition in frequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in the slottransmission and an identifier of one or more of the plurality ofsub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

According to one embodiment, a network node is provided. The networknode includes processing circuitry operable to perform pre-empting aslot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slot transmissionto the wireless receiver, wherein the slot transmission comprises aplurality of time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFR comprising aplurality of sub-regions. The processing circuitry is further operableto perform transmitting a preemption indication to the wirelessreceiver, where the preemption indication includes: a TFR position intime of one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission, a TFRposition in frequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in the slottransmission and an identifier of one or more of the plurality ofsub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method of identifying apreempted mini-slot within a slot for use in a wireless receiver of awireless communication network is provided. The method includesreceiving, from a wireless transmitter, a slot transmission with apreempted mini-slot, wherein the slot transmission comprises a pluralityof time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFR comprising a plurality ofsub-regions. The method further includes receiving a preemptionindication from the wireless transmitter, where the preemptionindication includes a TFR position in time of one or more preempted TFRsin the slot transmission, TFR position in frequency of the one or morepreempted TFRs in the slot transmission, and an identifier of one ormore of the plurality of sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

According to one embodiment, a wireless device is provided. The wirelessdevice includes processing circuity operable to perform receiving, froma wireless transmitter, a slot transmission with a preempted mini-slot,wherein the slot transmission comprises a plurality of time-frequencyregions (TFRs), each TFR comprising a plurality of sub regions. Theprocessing circuitry is further operable to perform receiving apreemption indication from the wireless transmitter, where thepreemption indication includes a TFR position in time of one or morepreempted TFRs in the slot transmission, a TFR position in frequency ofthe one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission, and anidentifier of one or more of the plurality of sub-regions of the onemore preempted TFRs.

According to one embodiment, a network node is provided. The networknode includes processing circuitry operable to perform receiving, from awireless transmitter, a slot transmission with a preempted mini-slot,wherein the slot transmission comprises a plurality of time-frequencyregions (TRFs), each TRF comprising a plurality of sub-regions. Theprocessing circuitry is further operable to perform receiving apreemption indication from the wireless transmitter, where thepreemption indication includes a TFR position in time of one or morepreempted TFRs as in the slot transmission, a TFR position in frequencyof the one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission, and anidentifier of one or more of the plurality of sub-regions of the onemore preempted TFRs.

A generalized scheme of pre-emption indication includes a scheme bywhich a system can point to a “Time-frequency region” where pre-emptiontook place and simultaneously point to a sub-region inside TFR. Atwo-step pointer makes signaling more accurate and signaling messagebecomes shorter. Particular embodiments may include some, all, or noneof the following advantages. For example, particular embodiments achievea good trade-off between pre-emption indication accuracy and size ofsignaling message, making signaling more efficient energy-wise. Someembodiments support a wide range of signaling delay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments and their featuresand advantages, reference is now made to the following description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general procedure of resourceallocation;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless network,according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a time-frequency grid illustrating an example logicalstructure in a preemption indication algorithm, according to particularembodiments;

FIG. 4 is an example preemption indication message structure, accordingto a particular embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an example of a preemption indication according to aparticular embodiment;

FIG. 6 is another example of a preemption indication, according to aparticular embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wirelesstransmitter, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wirelessreceiver, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of awireless device;

FIG. 9B is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wirelessdevice;

FIG. 10A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anetwork node; and

FIG. 10B is a block diagram illustrating example components of a networknode;

FIG. A1 Example of t-f-grid logical structure in pre-emption indicationalgorithm;

FIG. A2 Pre-emption indication message structure;

FIG. A3 Pre-emption indication example 1-1;

FIG. A4 Pre-emption indication example 1-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines a fifth generation(5G) of wireless communication that includes new radio (NR). Dynamicmultiplexing of different services is highly desirable for efficient useof system resources and to maximize system capacity. When low-latencydata appears in a buffer, a base station should choose the soonestmoment of time when resources could be normally allocated. This may beeither the beginning of a sub frame or a mini-slot, where the mini-slotcan start at any orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)symbol. The stringent latency budget of such traffic as ultra-reliablelow latency communications (URLLC) may require transmission of amini-slot signal without waiting for vacant resources. Thus a UE mayneed to preempt a slot data transmission (i.e., slot transmissions toUE1 bon already allocated resources are overridden by a mini-slottransmission to UE2). Dynamic resource sharing between slot andmini-slot transmissions in the uplink is also desirable and may involvepuncturing/preemption of a slot by mini-slot transmissions.

A general downlink preemption indication (PI) architecture may be basedon presenting, the time-frequency grid structure prior to the receivedPI message as one time/frequency region (TFR) and signal which part(s)of the TFR are affected by pre-emption. TFR size and its internalresolution are defined before sending the PI message.

This approach, however, includes at least two problems. Accuracy may below with realistic signaling message size (around 20 bits). To achieveacceptable accuracy, a PI message may be limited to reporting only abouta short time backward (e.g., around 1 time slot), which is not flexiblein terms of signaling latency.

Particular embodiments described herein obviate the problems describedabove and include a pre-emption indication that includes a goodtrade-off between pre-emption indication resolution and signalingmessage size. Particular embodiments include a parameter set for propertuning of the PI scheme. Some embodiments include a pre-emptionindication message format. Particular embodiments achieve a goodtrade-off between pre-emption indication accuracy and size of signalingmessage, making signaling more efficient energy-wise. Some embodimentssupport a wide range of signaling delay.

The following description sets forth numerous specific details. It isunderstood, however, that embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structuresand techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure theunderstanding of this description. Those of ordinary skill in the art,with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriatefunctionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or notexplicitly described.

Particular embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 2-10B ofthe drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding partsof the various drawings. Long Term Evolution (LTE) and NR are usedthroughout this disclosure as an example cellular system, but the ideaspresented herein may apply to other wireless communication systems aswell.

NR terminology and LTE terminology coincide to a considerable extent;for instance, a resource element (RE) remains 1 subcarrier×1 OFDMsymbol. Yet some terms known in LTE have been even a new meaning in NR.This disclosure, including the claims, applies prefixes “LTE” and “NR”when indefiniteness could otherwise arise.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless network,according to a particular embodiment. Wireless network 100 includes oneor more wireless devices 110 (such as mobile phones, smart phones,laptop computers, tablet computers, MTC devices, or any other devicesthat can provide wireless communication) and a plurality of networknodes 120 (such as base stations or eNodeBs). Wireless device 110 mayalso be referred to as a User Equipment (UE). Network node 120 servescoverage area 115 (also referred to as cell 115.

In general, wireless devices 110 that are within coverage of networknode 120 (e.g., within cell 115 served by network node 120) communicatewith network node 120 by transmitting and receiving wireless signals130. For example, wireless devices 110 and network node 120 maycommunicate wireless signals 130 containing voice traffic, data traffic,and/or control signals. A network node 120 communicating voice traffic,data traffic, and/or control signals to wireless device 110 may bereferred to as a serving network node 120 for the wireless device 110.Communication between wireless device 110 and network node 120 may bereferred to as cellular communication. Wireless signals 130 may includeboth downlink transmissions (from network node 120 to wireless devices110) and uplink transmissions (from wireless devices 110 to network node120).

Each network node 120 may have a single transmitter or multipletransmitters for transmitting signals 130 to wireless devices 110. Insome embodiments, network node 120 may comprise a multi-inputmulti-output (MIMO) system. Wireless signal 130 may comprise one or morebeams. Particular beams may be beamformed in a particular direction.Each wireless device 110 may have a single receiver or multiplereceivers for receiving signals 130 from network nodes 120 or otherwireless devices 110. Wireless device 110 may receive one or more beamscomprising wireless signal 130.

Wireless signals 130 may be transmitted on time-frequency resources. Thetime-frequency resources may be partitioned into radio frames,subframes, slots, and/or mini-slots. Network node 120 may dynamicallyschedule subframes/slots/mini-slots as uplink, downlink, or acombination uplink and downlink. Different wireless signals 130 maycomprise different transmission processing times. Network node 120 mayschedule a mini-slot to preempt an already scheduled slot. Network node120 may transmit a preemption indication to wireless device 110 toinform wireless device 110 which time frequency resources werepreempted. The preemption indication is described in more detail, belowand with respect to FIGS. 3-8.

Network node 120 may operate in a licensed frequency spectrum, such asan LTE spectrum or NR spectrum. Network node 120 may also operate in anunlicensed frequency spectrum, such as a 5 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum. In anunlicensed frequency spectrum, network node 120 may coexist with otherdevices such as IEEE 802.11 access points and terminals. To share theunlicensed spectrum, network node 120 may perform LBT protocols beforetransmitting or receiving wireless signals 130. Wireless device 110 mayalso operate in one or both of licensed or unlicensed spectrum and insome embodiments may also perform LBT protocols before transmittingwireless signals 130. Both network node 120 and wireless device 110 mayalso operate in licensed shared spectrum.

For example, network node 120 a may operate in a licensed spectrum andnetwork node 120 b may operate in an unlicensed spectrum. Wirelessdevice 110 may operate in both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Inparticular embodiments, network nodes 120 a and 120 b may beconfigurable to operate in a licensed spectrum, an unlicensed spectrum,a licensed shared spectrum, or any combination. Although the coveragearea of cell 115 b is illustrated as included in the coverage area ofcell 115 a, in particular embodiments the coverage areas of cells 115 aand 115 b may overlap partially, or may not overlap at all.

In particular embodiments, wireless device 110 and network nodes 120 mayperform carrier aggregation. For example, network node 120 a may servewireless device 110 as a PCell and network node 120 b may serve wirelessdevice 110 as a SCell. Network nodes 120 may perform self-scheduling orcross-scheduling. If network node 120 a is operating in licensedspectrum and network node 120 b is operating in unlicensed spectrum,network node 120 a may provide license assisted access to the unlicensedspectrum (i.e., network node 120 a is a LAA PCell and network node 120 bis a LAA SCell).

In wireless network 100, each network node 120 may use any suitableradio access technology, such as long term evolution (LTE),LTE-Advanced, UMTS, HSPA, GSM, cdma2000, NR, WiMax, WiFi, and/or othersuitable radio access technology. Wireless network 100 may include anysuitable combination of one or more radio access technologies. Forpurposes of example, various embodiments may be described within thecontext of certain radio access technologies. However, the scope of thedisclosure is not limited to the examples and other embodiments coulduse different radio access technologies.

As described above, embodiments of a wireless network may include one ormore wireless devices and one or more different types of radio networknodes capable of communication with the wireless devices. The networkmay also include any additional elements suitable to supportcommunication between wireless devices or between a wireless device andanother communication device (such as a landline telephone). A wirelessdevice may include any suitable combination of hardware and/or software.For example, in particular embodiments, wireless device, such aswireless device 110, may include the components described with respectto FIG. 9A below. Similarly, a network node may include any suitablecombination of hardware and/or software. For example, in particularembodiments, a network node, such as network node 120, may include thecomponents described with respect to FIG. 10A below.

Particular embodiments include a general preemption scheme based on atwo-level pointer to pre-empted resources on a time-frequency grid.After preemption occurs, a base station sends a PI message to one Userequipment (UE) or group of UEs via a signaling channel.

When a UE receives the message, the time-frequency resources before themessage are logically divided onto TFR

s according to a parameter set derived before. The UE interprets fieldsof the PI message to identify which TFR was affected by pre-emption. TheUE also interprets fields of the PI message to identify which part(sub-region) of the TFR was affected by preemption. An example isillustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a time-frequency grid illustrating an example logicalstructure in a preemption indication algorithm, according to particularembodiments. The horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axisrepresents frequency. The logical structure may be parametrizedaccording to the parameters below, the parameter set is used toconfigure LTEs for correct interpretation of PI message fields.Parameters of the PI algorithm include the following:

-   -   “T”—TFR size in time scale defined in OFDM symbols.    -   “F”—TFR size in frequency scale defined as BWP fraction.    -   “x”—TFR internal resolution in time scale defined in OFDM        symbols.    -   “y”—TFR internal resolution in frequency scale defined in PRBs.    -   “MTB”—Max backward time covered by TFRs and defined in times of        “T”.

In particular embodiments, preemption configuration may be independentfrom slot size. “T” may be expressed in OFDM symbol units for TFR sizein time scale configuration. In some embodiments, “T” may coincide withthe size of the slot. Moreover, to keep PI message size small andachieve good flexibility in configuration, particular embodimentsinclude a TFR size equal to or smaller than the BWP size.

The logical structure illustrated in FIG. 2 is flexible and can be usedregardless of how many PI messages may be sent in parallel; whether a PImessage is periodic or non-periodic; and whether the grid logicalstructures of two PI messages have intersections.

Particular embodiments include preemption indication parameters forconfiguration. A PI message can point to one of the TFR by a time fieldthat tracks backwards in time from the reception of the PI message. Thebackward time may be limited by the parameter “Max T backward” (or MTB),which denotes the maximum backward time covered by TFRs. The parameterrefers to a periodicity and/or time during which the UE may expect a PImessage.

In principle, “x” can be from 1 up to a total number of os in the TFR,but to achieve a good resolution in the time domain a value of “x” canimplicitly be set to 1 OFDM symbol. Following the same logic, a value“y” can be from 1 up to a total number PRBs in the TFR, but to simplifyconfiguration procedure the value “y” can be implicitly set to totalnumber of PRBs in TFR, which means there is no frequency resolutioninside TFR. The indication may be wideband if “F”=1. Other parametersalso have practical values, which are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Preemption indication parameters summary. Parameter namePrincipal range Practical values Units MTB 1-any integer 1, 2, 4, 8times of “T” T 1-any integer 2-14 Number of OFDM symbols F 1/N-1, whereN 1, ½, ¼ Fraction of carrier is an integer bandwidth or bandwidth partx 1-T 1, 2 Number of OFDM symbols y 1-number of PRBs number of PRBsNumber of PRBs in one TFR in one TFR

Particular embodiments include a preemption indication messagestructure. The parameters have strict relation with the content of a PImessage. Once preemption monitoring is configured for particular BWP,UEs may monitor for PI message of system pre-defined size.Interpretation of the PI message depends on signaled parameters andgeneral interpretation is presented in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is an example preemption indication message structure, accordingto a particular embodiment. The message structure includes a pluralityof bits N1, N2, N3, and P. “TFR position in time” is a pointer at TFRbackward in time from PI message reception time, expressed in T. “TFRposition in frequency” is a pointer at TFR on frequency. The smaller thevalue, the closer the TFR is to the first-most subcarrier in thetime-frequency grid. “Pre-empted resource time/frequency mask”explicitly defines which parts of TFR are affected by pre-emption, “0”means “not-affected” and “1” means “affected” or vice versa. Forexample, if internally TFR consist of 14 sub-regions, a 14-bit maskshows which of these sub-regions were affected.

In some embodiments, a relation between field sizes and parameters maybe given by the following expressions:

N 1 = log₂(MTB)  [bits] N 2 = log₂(1/F)  [bits]${N\; 3} = {\frac{T}{x}*{\frac{{BWP\_ size}{\_ in}{\_ PRBs}*F}{y}\mspace{14mu}\lbrack{bits}\rbrack}}$P = GroupCommonPDCCHPayload − N 1 − N 2 − N 3

GroupCommonPDCCHPayload is defined by the system and this parameterdefinition is out of the scope of this disclosure. According to theabove formulas, values of N1, N2 and P can have zero length and UEshould interpret this accordingly. Because it is not allowed to exceedGroup Common PDCCH payload, the definition of PI parameters is done incoordination with Group Common PDCCH pay load size.

FIG. 5 is an example of a preemption indication, according to aparticular embodiment. The horizontal axis represents time and thevertical axis represents frequency. The format of the PI may be the sameas described with respect to FIG. 4.

The illustrated example includes a two OFDM-symbols pre-emption withresolution 1 os and half-spectrum. BWP=100 PRBs.

  MTB  is  4  T.  Time  position  field  N 1 = log₂(4) = 2 bits$F = {\left. {\frac{1}{2}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{half}\text{-}{of}\text{-}{bandwidth}} \right)}\Rightarrow{{frequency}\mspace{14mu} {position}\mspace{14mu} {field}\mspace{14mu} N\; 2} \right.\mspace{14mu} = {{\log_{2}(2)} = {1\; {bit}}}}$$\mspace{20mu} {{T = {14\mspace{14mu} {OFDM}\mspace{14mu} {symbols}}},{y = {{50\mspace{14mu} {PRBs}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} x} = {{1\mspace{14mu} {OFDM}\mspace{14mu} {{symbol}.\mspace{20mu} {Mask}}\mspace{14mu} {is}\mspace{14mu} N\; 3} = {\left( {\frac{14}{1}*\frac{100*\frac{1}{2}}{50}} \right) = {14\mspace{14mu} {bits}}}}}}}$

FIG. 6 is another example of a preemption indication, according to aparticular embodiment. The horizontal axis represents time and thevertical axis represents frequency. The format of the PI may be the sameas described with respect to FIG. 4.

The illustrated example includes one preemption with resolution 1 os andfull spectrum. BWP=100 PRBs.

max   T  backward  is  4  TFRs.  Time  position  field  N 1 = log₂(4) = 2 bitsF = 1(full-bandwidth) ⇒ frequency  position  field  N 2 = log₂(1) = 0 bitT = 14  OFDM  symbols, y = 100  PRBs  and  x = 1  OFDM  symbols$\mspace{20mu} {{{Mask}\mspace{14mu} {is}\mspace{14mu} N\; 3} = {\left( {\frac{14}{1}*\frac{100*1}{100}} \right) = {14\mspace{14mu} {bits}}}}$

Particular embodiments include UE configuration. Particular embodimentsmay include broadcasting a parameter set in a system informationmessage, or RRC signaling. For both configuration options, particularembodiments include a full or shortened set of parameters. A shortenedset of proposed parameters may include only three parameters (e.g., MBR,T and F), while x and y may be set implicitly by default configuration,such as identified in a 3GPP specification.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wirelesstransmitter, according to particular embodiments. In particularembodiments, one or more steps of FIG. 7 may be performed by networknode 120 or wireless device 110 of network 100 described with respect toFIG. 2.

The method begins at step 712, where a wireless transmitter preempts aslot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slot transmissionto the wireless receiver. The slot transmission comprises a plurality oftime-frequency regions (TFRs). Each TFR comprises a plurality ofsub-regions. For example, network node 120 may receive low latency datafor transmission and may place the data in mini-slot symbols fortransmission. Network node 120 may replace previously scheduled slotsymbols with the mini-slot symbols. The slot transmission may be dividedinto a plurality of TFRs, such as those illustrated with respect toFIGS. 3, 5, and 6, for example. The preempted symbols may be locatedwithin one or more of the TFRs (also referred to as a preempted TFR).

At step 714, the wireless transmitter transmits a preemption indicationto the wireless receiver. The preemption indication identifies thepreempted time-frequency resources. The preemption indication comprisesa TFR position in time of one or more preempted TFRs the slottransmission; a TFR position in frequency of the one or more preemptedTFRs in the slot transmission; and an identifier of one or more of theplurality of sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

For example, network node 120 may transmit a preemption indication tothe wireless device 110. The preemption indication may be formattedaccording to any of the preemption indication formats described abovewith respect to FIGS. 3-6.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 700 of FIG.7. Additionally, one or more steps in the method of FIG. 7 may beperformed in parallel or in any suitable order. The steps may berepeated over time as necessary.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wirelesstransmitter, according to particular embodiments. In particularembodiments, one or more steps of FIG. 8 may be performed by networknode 120 or wireless device 110 of network 100 described with respect toFIG. 2.

The method begins at step 812, where a wireless receiver receives, froma wireless transmitter, a slot transmission with a preempted mini-slot.The slot transmission comprises a plurality of time-frequency regions(TFRs). Each TFR comprises a plurality of sub-regions. For example,wireless device 110 may receive a preempted slot from network node 120.The slot transmission may be divided into a plurality of TFRs, such asthose illustrated with respect to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, for example. Thepreempted symbols may be located within one or more of the TFRs (alsoreferred to as a preempted TFR).

At step 814, the wireless receiver receives a preemption indication fromthe wireless transmitter. The preemption indication identifies thepreempted time-frequency resources. The preemption indication comprisesa TFR position in time of one or more preempted TFRs in the slottransmission; a TFR position in frequency of the one or more preemptedTFRs in the slot transmission; and an identifier of one or more of theplurality of sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs.

For example, network node 120 may transmit a preemption indication tothe wireless device 110. The preemption indication may be formattedaccording to any of the preemption indication formats described abovewith respect to FIGS. 3-6.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 800 of FIG.8. Additionally, one or more steps in the method of FIG. 8 may beperformed in parallel or in any suitable order. The steps may berepeated over time as necessary.

FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of awireless device. The wireless device is an example of the wirelessdevices 110 illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular embodiments, thewireless device is capable of transmitting, receiving, and interpretinga preemption indication.

Particular examples of a wireless device include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable computer (e.g.,laptop, tablet), a sensor, a modem, a machine type (MTC) device/machineto machine (M2M) device, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mountedequipment (LME), USB dongles, a device-to-device capable device, avehicle-to-vehicle device, or any other device that can provide wirelesscommunication. The wireless device includes transceiver 1310, processingcircuitry 1320, memory 1330, and power source 1340. In some embodiments,transceiver 1310 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to andreceiving wireless signals from wireless network node 120 (e.g., via anantenna), processing circuitry 1320 executes instructions to providesome or all of the functionality described herein as provided by thewireless device, and memory 1330 stores the instructions executed byprocessing circuitry 1320. Power source 1340 supplies electrical powerto one or more of the components of wireless device 110, such astransceiver 1310, processing circuitry 1320, and/or memory 1330.

Processing circuitry 1320 includes any suitable combination of hardwareand software implemented in one or more integrated circuits or modulesto execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all ofthe described functions of the wireless device. In some embodiments,processing circuitry 1320 may include, for example, one or morecomputers, one more programmable logic devices, one or more centralprocessing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or moreapplications, and/or other logic, and/or any suitable combination of thepreceding. Processing circuitry 1320 may include analog and/or digitalcircuitry configured to perform some or all of the described functionsof wireless device 110. For example, processing circuitry 1320 mayinclude resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, diodes, and/orany other suitable circuit components.

Memory 1330 is generally operable to store computer executable code anddata, Examples of memory 1330 include computer memory (e.g., RandomAccess Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g.,a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or aDigital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile or non-volatile,non-transitory computer-readable and/or computer-executable memorydevices that store information.

Power source 1340 is generally operable to supply electrical power tothe components of wireless device 110. Power source 1340 may include anysuitable type of battery, such as lithium-ion, lithium-air, lithiumpolymer, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or any other suitabletype of battery fur supplying power to a wireless device.

Other embodiments of the wireless device may include additionalcomponents (beyond those shown in FIG. 9A) responsible for providingcertain aspects of the wireless device's functionality, including any ofthe functionality described above and/or any additional functionality(including any functionality necessary to support the solution describedabove).

FIG. 9B is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wirelessdevice 110. The components may include scheduling module 1350,transmitting module 1352 and receiving module 1354.

Scheduling module 1350 may perform the scheduling functions of wirelessdevice 110. For example, scheduling module 1350 preempts a slottransmission to a network node with a mini-slot transmission accordingto any of the examples and embodiments described above. In certainembodiments, scheduling module 1350 may include or be included inprocessing circuitry 1320. In particular embodiments, scheduling module1350 may communicate with transmitting module 1352 and receiving module1354.

Transmitting module 1352 may perform the transmitting functions ofwireless device 110. For example, transmitting module 1352 may transmita preempted slot transmission and/or a preemption indication accordingto any of the examples and embodiments described above. In certainembodiments, transmitting module 1352 may include or be included inprocessing circuitry 1320. In particular embodiments, transmittingmodule 1352 may communicate with scheduling module 1350 and receivingmodule 1354.

Receiving module 1354 may perform the receiving functions of wirelessdevice 110. For example, receiving module 1354 may receive a preemptedslot transmission and/or a preemption indication according to any of theexamples and embodiments described above In certain embodiments,receiving module 1354 may include or be included in processing circuitry1320. In particular embodiments, transmitting module 1352 maycommunicate with scheduling module 1350 and transmitting module 1352.

FIG. 10A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anetwork node. The network node is an example of the network node 120illustrated in FIG. 2. particular embodiments, the network node iscapable of transmitting, receiving, and interpreting a preemptionindication.

Network node 120 can be an eNodeB, a node B, a base station, a wirelessaccess point (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point), a low power node, a basetransceiver station (BTS), transmission point or node, a remote RF unit(RRU), a remote radio head (RRH), or other radio access node. Thenetwork node includes at least one transceiver 1410, at least oneprocessing circuitry 1420, at least one memory 1430, and at least onenetwork interface 1440. Transceiver 1410 facilitates transmittingwireless signals to and receiving wireless signals from a wirelessdevice, such as wireless devices 110 (e.g., via an antenna); processingcircuitry 1420 executes instructions to provide some or all of thefunctionality described above as being provided by a network node 120;memory 1430 stores the instructions executed by processing circuitry1420, and network interface 1440 communicates signals to backend networkcomponents, such as a gateway, switch, router, Internet, Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN), controller, and/of other network nodes 120.Processing circuitry 1420 and 1430 can be of the same types as describedwith respect to processing circuitry 1320 and memory 1330 of FIG. 9Aabove.

In some embodiments, network interface 1440 is communicatively coupled,to processing circuitry 1420 and refers to any suitable device operableto receive input for network node 120, send output from network node120, perform suitable processing of the input or output or both,communicate to other devices, or any combination of the preceding.Network interface 1440 includes appropriate hardware (e.g., port, modem,network interface card, etc.) and software, including protocolconversion and data processing capabilities, to communicate through anetwork.

FIG. 10B is a block diagram illustrating example components of a networknode 120. The components may include scheduling module 1450,transmitting module 1452 and receiving module 1454.

Scheduling module 1450 may perform the scheduling functions of networknode 120. For example, scheduling module 1450 preempts a slottransmission to a wireless device with mini-slot transmission accordingto any of the examples and embodiments described above. In certainembodiments, scheduling module 1450 may include or be included inprocessing circuitry 1420. In particular embodiments, scheduling module1450 may communicate with transmitting module 1452 and receiving module1454.

Transmitting module 1452 may perform the transmitting functions ofnetwork node 120. For example, transmitting module 1452 may transmit apreempted slot transmission and/or a preemption indication according toany of the examples and embodiments described above. In certainembodiments, transmitting module 1452 may include or be included inprocessing circuitry 1420. In particular embodiments, transmittingmodule 1452 may communicate with scheduling module 1450 and receivingmodule 1454.

Receiving module 1454 may perform the receiving functions of networknode 120. For example, receiving module 1454 may receive a preemptedslot transmission and/or a preemption indication according to any of theexamples and embodiments described above. In certain embodiments,receiving module 1454 may include or be included in processing circuitry1420. In particular embodiments, transmitting module 1452 maycommunicate with scheduling module 1450 and transmitting module 1452.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems andapparatuses disclosed herein without departing from the scope of theinvention. The components of the systems and apparatuses may beintegrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems andapparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performedusing any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or otherlogic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a setor each member of a subset of a set.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methodsdisclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Themethods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps maybe performed in any suitable order.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptionof the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the claims below.

Abbreviations used in the preceding description include:

-   3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project-   BBU Baseband Unit-   BTS Base Transceiver Station-   BWP Bandwidth Part-   CB Code Block-   CBG Code Block Group-   CC Component Carrier-   CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check-   CQI Channel Quality Information-   CSI Channel State Information-   D2D Device to Device-   DCI Downlink Control Information-   DFI Discrete Fourier Transform-   DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal-   eNB eNodeB-   FDD Frequency Division Duplex-   FFT Fast Fourier Transform-   gNB Next-generation NodeB-   LAA Licensed-Assisted Access-   LBT Listen-before-talk-   LDPC Low-Density Parity Check-   LTE Long Term Evolution-   LTE-U LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum-   M2M Machine to Machine-   MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme-   MIB Master Information Block-   MIMO Multi-Input Multi-Output-   MTB Maximum Time Backward-   MTC Machine Type Communication-   NR New Radio-   OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing-   PCM Parity Check Matrix-   PI Preemption Indication-   PRB Physical Resource Block-   RAN Radio Access Network-   RAT Radio Access Technology-   RBS Radio Base Station-   RNC Radio Network Controller-   RRC Radio Resource Control-   RRH Remote Radio Head-   RRU Remote Radio Unit-   RV Redundancy Version-   SCell Secondary Cell-   SI System Information-   SIB System Information Block-   TB Transport Block-   TBS Transport Block Size-   TDD Time Division Duplex-   TFR Time-Frequency Region-   TTI Transmission Time Interval-   UE User Equipment-   UL Uplink-   URLLC Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication-   UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network-   WAN Wireless Access Network

The following list provides non-limiting examples of how certain aspectsof the proposed solutions could be implemented. The examples are merelyintended to illustrate how certain aspects of the proposed solutionscould be implemented, however, the proposed solutions could also beimplemented in other suitable manners. Examples include:

Example Wireless Transmitter Embodiments

1. A method of preempting a slot with a mini-slot for use in a wirelesstransmitter of a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

preempting a slot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slottransmission to the wireless receiver, wherein the slot transmissioncomprises a plurality of time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFRcomprising a plurality of sub-regions;

transmitting a preemption indication to the wireless receiver, thepreemption indication comprising:

TFR position in time of one or more preempted TFRs in the slottransmission;

TFR position in frequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in the slottransmission; and

an identifier of one or more of the plurality of sub-regions of the onemore preempted TFRs.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the TRF position in time of theone or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises anidentifier of a TFR backward in time relative to the preemptionindication.

3. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the TFR position in time of theone or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises an indexof a TFR backward in time relative to the preemption indication within amaximum backward time.

4. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the TFR position infrequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmissioncomprises a fraction of the total bandwidth.

5. The method of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the identifier of oneor more of the plurality of sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRscomprises a bitmap with a bit position for each sub-region.

6. A wireless device comprising processing circuitry operable to performthe method of any of embodiments 1-5.

7. A network node comprising processing circuitry operable to performthe method of any embodiments 1-5.

8. A computer program comprising computer-readable instructions forcausing at least one programmable processor to perform the method of anyof embodiments 1-5.

Example Wireless Receiver Embodiments

1. A method of identifying a preempted mini-slot within a slot for usein wireless receiver of a wireless communication network, the methodcomprising:

receiving, from a wireless transmitter, a slot transmission with apreempted mini-slot, wherein the slot transmission comprises a pluralityof time-frequency regions (TFRs), each TFR comprising a plurality ofsub-regions;

receiving a preemption indication from the wireless transmitter, thepreemption indication comprising:

a TFR position in time of one or more preempted TRFs in the slottransmission;

a TFR position in frequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in theslot transmission; and

an identifier of one or more of the plurality of sub-regions of the onemore preempted TFRs.

2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the TFR position in time of theone or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises anidentifier of a TFR backward in time relative to the preemptionindication.

3. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the TFR position in time of theone or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises an indexof a TFR backward in time relative to the preemption indication within amaximum backward time.

4. The method of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the TFR position infrequency of the one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmissioncomprises a fraction of the total bandwidth.

5. The method of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the identifier of oneor more of the plurality of sub-regions of the one more preempted TFRscomprises a bitmap with a bit position for each sub-region.

6. A wireless device comprising processing circuitry operable to performthe method of any of embodiments 1-5.

7. A network node comprising processing circuitry operable to performthe method of any of embodiments 1-5.

8. A computer program comprising computer-readable instructions forcausing at least one programmable processor to perform the method of anyof embodiments 1-5.

APPENDIX

The Appendix provides a non limiting example of how certain aspects ofthe proposed solutions could be implemented within the framework of aspecific communication standard. In particular, the Appendix provides anon-limiting example of how the proposed solutions could be implementedwithin the framework of a 3GPP TSG RAN standard. The changes describedby the Appendix are merely intended to illustrate how certain aspects ofthe proposed solutions could be implemented in a particular standard.However, the proposed solutions could so be implemented in othersuitable manners, both in the 3GPP Specification and in otherspecifications or standards.

Multiplexing Data with Different Transmission Durations INTRODUCTION

Downlink Pre-emption may include the following features:

For preemption indication;

-   -   When configured, the indication tells the UE(s) in which DL        physical resources has been preempted.    -   The preemption indication is transmitted using PDCCH.        -   The preemption indication is not included in the DCI that            schedules the (re)transmission of the data transmission.    -   It is transmitted using a group common DCI in PDCCH        -   The group common DC may be transmitted separately from SFI        -   Whether a UE needs to monitor preemption indication is            configured by RRC signalling        -   The granularity of preemption indication in time domain can            be configured

Preempted resource(s) within a certain time/frequency region (i.e.,reference downlink resource) within the periodicity to monitor groupcommon DCI for pre-emption indication, is indicated by the group commonDCI carrying the preemption indication

-   -   The frequency region of the reference downlink resource is        configured semi-statically        -   May use explicit signaling or implicitly derived by other            RRC signalling    -   The time region of the reference downlink resource is configured        semi-statically        -   May use explicitly signaling or implicitly derived by other            RRC signalling

The frequency granularity of pre-emption indication is configured to bey RBs within the reference downlink resource for the given numerology

-   -   May use explicit signaling or implicitly derived by other RRC        signalling    -   The y RBs can correspond to the whole frequency region of the        downlink reference resource.

The time granularity of pre-emption indication is configured to be xsymbols within the reference downlink resource for the given numerology

-   -   May use explicit signaling or implicitly derived by other RRC        signalling

Time/frequency granularities of pre-emption indication should take intoaccount the payload size of the group common DCI carrying thepre-emption indication

DISCUSSION On DL Pre-Emption Indication

A group common DCI may provide indication of downlink pre-emption.Because the usage is different and the feature support in UEs will mostlikely also be different, it may be preferred to separate the DLpre-emption indicator into a separate DCI message compared to the SFIindicator pre-emption indication message.Proposal 1: The DL Preemption Indicator is Provided in Separate DCIMessage from the SFIA general DL pre-emption indication architecture may be based onpointing of “time/frequency region” (TFR) on the time-frequency resourcegrid and signal which part(s) of this TFR was affected by pre-emption.The resources may be configured either explicitly In RRC configurationor implicitly derived from other RRC configurations. In one example PImessage, a system can report about only one TFR, but size of TFR andinternal resolution can be configurable.

Observation 1. In One Preemption Indication Message Only OneTime/Frequency Region (TFR) can be Indicated.

For parametrization of the algorithm, let's denote:

-   -   “T”—TFR size in time scale defined in slots or OFDM symbols.    -   “F”—TFR size in frequency scale defined as BWP fraction.    -   “x”—TFR internal resolution in time scale defined in OFDM        symbols.    -   “y”—TFR internal resolution in frequency scale defined in PRBs.    -   “Max T backward”—Max backward time covered by TFRs and defined        in times of “T”.        To make a discussion dear the pre-emption indication idea        demonstrated on the FIG. A1, where “T”=1 slot (7 os), “F”=½ BWP,        “x”=1 os, “y”=25 PRBs and “Max T backward” is 4.        To support a good granularity in time domain, it is beneficial        to support a time granularity of one “OFDM symbols”.        Proposal 2. A Time Granularity of One OFDM Symbols should be        Supported        Regarding the frequency granularity of the indications, we        observed that although a granularity of down to fraction of        bandwidth can be useful, it will not provide as much gain. The        reason is that the granularity cannot be down to RBs as it        imposes a large payload for the indication, and the design        should consider the size of the DCI message. Another issue with        too fine granularity is the number of tests that a UE should        pass for all different cases of pre-emptions. Furthermore we        observe that it is beneficial if the DCI message for preemption        indication matches the size of other DCI messages for to help        the blind decoding. Therefore it is proposed that the frequency        granularity is decided when the size of DCI message is known.        Proposal 3: The Granularity in Frequency Domain should be        Decided Considering the Final Size of the DCI Message for        Pre-Emption Indication as well as the Number of Tests that Need        to be Performed for a UE with Different Pre-Emption        Configurations.        We also note that it is possible that the preemption indication        is not sent in the slot immediately after the pre-empted slot.        Therefore, the indication can point to one of the TFR by e.g. a        time field that tracks backwards in time from the reception of        PI message. We can assume that this backward time can be up to a        “Max T”.        Proposal 4. The Indication should Contain a Field to Point at        the Slot where the Preemption Occurred.        Whether the above indications are configured explicitly or        implicitly depends on the final agreed configuration. In        principle, “x” can be from 1 up to total number of os in        “time/frequency region”, but to achieve a good resolution in        time domain a value of “x” can implicitly be set to 1 OFDM        symbol. Following the same logic, a value “y” can be from 1 up        to total number of PRBs in TFR, but to simplify BBC signaling        the value “y” can be implicitly set to total number of PRBs in        TFR. Let's summarize our proposal on parameter values:    -   “Max T backward” can be 1, 2, 4 or 8 times of “T”.    -   “T” can be from 2 to 14 OFDM symbols;    -   “F” can be 1, ½ and ¼ which corresponds to full BWP, ½ BWP, ¼        BWP;    -   “x” can be only 1 OFDM symbol implicitly;    -   “y” should coincide with parameter “F” implicitly, it means        there is no frequency resolution inside “time/frequency region”.        The indication is wideband if “F”=1.        RAN1 needs to define relation between proposed parameters and        content of PI message. Once pre-emption monitoring is configured        for particular BWP, UEs may monitor for PI message of system        pre-defined size, interpretation of the PI message depends on        RRC signaled parameters and, general interpretation is presented        on FIG. A2.        Once we defined the range of each parameter, a relation between        field sizes and parameters can be easily expressed by simple        expressions, e.g.:

N1=log₂(Max T backward) [bits]

N2=log₂(1/F) [bits]

${N\; 3} = {\frac{T}{x}*{\frac{{BWP\_ size}{\_ in}{\_ PRBs}*F}{y}\lbrack{bits}\rbrack}}$

or if take into account proposal 3, this expression can be simplifiedto: N3=T [bits]

P=GroupCommonPDCCHPayload−N1−N2−N3

According to these formulas, values of N1, N2 and P can be a zero lengthand UE should interpret this accordingly. Of course, it is not allowedto exceed Group Common PDCCH payload, therefore definition of PIparameters must be done based on Group Common PDCCH payload size.

Example 1-1. Two OFDM-Symbols Pre-Emption. Resolution 1 os andHalf-Spectrum. BWP=100 PRBs

-   -   max T backward is 4 TFRs. Time position field N1=log₂(4)=2 bits    -   F=½ (half-of-bandwidth)=>frequency positon field N2=log₂(2)=1        bit, so y=50 PRBs.    -   T=14 OFDM symbols and x=1 os. Mask is

${N\; 3} = {\left( {\frac{14}{1}*\frac{100 \times \frac{1}{2}}{50}} \right) = {14\mspace{14mu} {bits}}}$

Example 1-2. One Pre-Emption. Resolution 1 os and Full-Spectrum. BWP=100PRBs

-   -   max T backward is 4 TFRs. Time position N1=log₂(4)=2 bits    -   F=1 (full-bandwidth)=>frequency position field N2=log₂(1)=0 bit,        so y=100 PRBs.    -   T=14 OFDM symbols and x=1 os. Mask is

${N\; 3} = {\left( {\frac{14}{1}*\frac{100 \times 1}{100}} \right) = {14\mspace{14mu} {bits}}}$

1. A method of preempting a slot with a mini-slot for use in a wirelesstransmitter of a wireless communication network, the method comprising:preempting a slot transmission to a wireless receiver with a mini-slottransmission to the wireless receiver, wherein the slot transmissioncomprises a plurality of time-frequency regions, each TFR comprising aplurality of sub-regions; transmitting a preemption indication to thewireless receiver, wherein the interpretation of the pre-emptionindication depends on RRC signalled parameters, the preemptionindication comprising: an identifier of one or more of the plurality ofsub-regions of the one more preempted TFRs, wherein the identifier ofone or more of the plurality of sub-regions of the one more pre-emptedTFRs comprises a bitmap with a bit position for each sub-region.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the TFR position in time of the one or morepreempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises an identifier of a TFRbackward in time relative to the preemption indication.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the TFR position in time of the one or more preemptedTFRs in the slot transmission comprises an index of a TFR backward intime relative to the preemption indication within a maximum backwardtime.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the TFR position in frequency ofthe one or more preempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises afraction of the total bandwidth.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A wireless devicecomprising processing circuitry operable to perform the method ofclaim
 1. 7. The network node comprising processing circuitry operable toperform the method of claim
 1. 8. (canceled)
 9. A method of identifyinga preempted mini-slot within a slot for use in a wireless receiver of awireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving, from awireless transmitter, a slot transmission with a preempted mini-slot,wherein the slot transmission comprises a plurality of time-frequencyregions (TFRs), each TFR comprising a plurality of sub-regions;receiving preemption indication from the wireless transmitter, whereinthe interpretation of the pre-emption indication depends on RRCsignalled parameters, the preemption indication comprising: anidentifier of one or more of die plurality of sub-regions of the onemore preempted TFRs, wherein the identifier of one or more of theplurality of sub-regions of the one more pre-empted TFRs comprises abitmap with a bit position for each sub-region.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein the TFR position in time of the one or more preempted TFRs inthe slot transmission comprises an identifier of a TFR backward in timerelative to the preemption indication.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the TFR position in time of the one or mom preempted TFRs in theslot transmission comprises an index of a TFR backward in time relativeto the preemption indication within a maximum backward time.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the TFR position in frequency of the one ormore preempted TFRs in the slot transmission comprises a fraction of thetotal bandwidth.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A wireless device comprisingprocessing circuitry operable to perform the method of claim
 9. 15. Anetwork node comprising processing circuitry operable to perform themethod of claim
 9. 16. (canceled)